Nadal wins record seventh French Open title in wet Paris

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Photos:2012 French Open men's final

Nadal's record – Rafael Nadal celebrates with his family and coaching staff after entering the history books at the French Open.

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Photos:2012 French Open men's final

Seventh heaven – The Spaniard became the first male player to win the clay-court tournament seven times, moving clear of Bjorn Borg after completing a rain-delayed victory over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

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Photos:2012 French Open men's final

The King of Roland Garros – Nadal lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy for the seventh time in eight years at a tournament where he has lost only once in 53 matches.

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Photos:2012 French Open men's final

Djokovic denied – Djokovic had been seeking to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four grand slam titles.

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Photos:2012 French Open men's final

The rain game – Wet weather in Paris was a constant concern for the players. The final was held over from Sunday, then Nadal won six of nine games played on Monday despite another downpour.

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Story highlights

Rafael Nadal moves past Bjorn Borg with record seventh Paris crown

Spaniard wins six of nine games played as final is resumed after Sunday's rain delay

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic had been seeking to make his own history

Serbian was trying to hold all four majors, which had not been done for 43 years

While Rafael Nadal climbed into the crowd to hug his friends and family after clinching a record seventh French Open title on Monday, Novak Djokovic sat disconsolate at the side of the court.

The world No. 1's bid to become the first man since 1969 to hold all four grand slams had come to a disappointing end -- with a double-fault.

One of the most anticipated finals in recent tennis history was largely sabotaged by wet weather, which meant the match was held over from Sunday for only the second time.

Second-ranked Nadal had been quickest out of the blocks after the resumption of play, breaking Djokovic's serve immediately, and even another downpour could not stop the Spaniard sealing a 6-4 6-3 2-6 7-5 victory as he won six of the nine games played.

It took the 26-year-old past Bjorn Borg's mark of six successes at the clay-court major and extended his winning record at the tournament to 52-1.

He has now joined the legendary Swede on 11 grand slam titles overall, along with Australian Rod Laver -- who was the last man to hold all four major titles at one time.

Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after beating Novak Djokovic of Serbia to win his seventh French Open title in Paris on Monday, June 11.

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Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Djokovic and Nadal volley during Sunday's match, which was delayed twice because of rain and finished Monday.

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Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Nadal returns to Djokovic, who is ranked No. 1 in the world.

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Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Djokovic was going for the fourth and final entry in his Grand Slam, the first man in 43 years to do so.

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Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Nadal dries his face during the third set of the match.

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Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Djokovic leaves the court for a rain delay during the third set after officials haulted play during a downpour. The match was delayed a second time in the fourth set and finished Monday.

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Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Nadal reaches and slides on the clay to return a ball from Djokovic.

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Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Djokovic reacts in frustration late in the match against Nadal.

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Photos:Rafael Nadal wins French Open

Rafael Nadal wins French Open – Nadal is embraced by friends and family in the stands after his victory.

Nadal win secures tennis history

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They trail another Australian, Roy Emerson, on 12, American Pete Sampras on 14 and Roger Federer -- beaten by Djokovic in Friday's semifinals -- on 16.

"It's an honor but the most important thing is this tournament. It's unforgettable, one of the most special moments in my career," Nadal said.

"It was a privilege to play against one of the best players in the world."

Djokovic, who lost in the semifinals last year, was left on five grand slams. He has won the Australian Open three times, including a record-breaking near six-hour final against Nadal in January, plus last year's Wimbledon and U.S. Open tournaments.

"I feel really privileged to be in this position, being in the final at Roland Garros for the first time," the 25-year-old said.

"The playing conditions were not good. But it's not anybody's fault, and it's not the reason why I lost today.

"He is definitely the best player in history on this surface, and results are showing that he is one of the best players that ever played this game, and he is only 26 years old. Hopefully we can have many more battles."

The tennis season now moves onto grass ahead of the next grand slam, Wimbledon, which starts in London on June 25. The Olympic tournament will also be held in the British capital.